Hydraulically controlled baler



March 19, 1946. E. B. NOLT 2,396,720

HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED BALER Filed April 29, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 \{a I, g

IN V I; NTOR.

BY W a A/o-QL J lf'aim 7 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 19, 1946. E. B. NOLT HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED BALER Filed April 29, 1944 M LHH March 19, 1946. E. B. NOLT HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED BALER Filed April 29, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 M n u m U H March 19, 1946. E. B. NOLT HYDRAULIGALLY CONTROLLED BALER Filed April 29, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

A rrakzve' r Q ELLW'BE/We/t March 19, 1946.

E. B. NOLT HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED BALER Filed April 29, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet. 5

, INVENTOR- March 19, 1946. NOLT 2,396,720

HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED BALER Filed April 29, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I N VEN TOR.

- A "OR/v5) I Patented Mar. 19, 1946 HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED BALER Edwin B. Nolt, Ephrata,

Holland Machine Company,

Pa., assignor to New New Holland, Pa.,

a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 29, 1944, Serial No. 533,415

Claims.

My invention relates broadly to pick-up balers for automatically baling hay, straw and the like and more particularly to a system for hydraulically operating the baling mechanism of a pickup baler.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of hydraulically operated mechanism for controlling automatic balers for insuring uniformity in size and weight of the bales.

Another object of my invention is to provide an arrangement of hydraulic mechanism for baling hay and straw and the like by which a shorter baling chamber may be employed than has heretofore been employed in mechanically operated balers for thus saving material and weight in the baler construction.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved construction of hydraulically operated baler with parts hydraulically controlled for insuring the production of bales of uniform weight when the material to be baled has approximately the same moisture content.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction of hydraulically operated baler which is capable of baling relatively heavy material without subjecting the baling chamber to undue strain or stress with inherent bulging or springing of the chamber as has been heretofore encountered in mechanically operated automatic balers.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved construction of hydraulically operated baler which may be more readily and accurately adjusted and which will require less maintenance than mechanically operated balers heretofore available in the art.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved construction of hydraulically operated baler having means for increasing the speed of baling operations while cushioning the shock of the required baling forces for thereby reducing wear and maintenance of the baling mechanism.

Still another object of my invention is to provide means for timing the operation of the hydraulically operated ram on a hydraulically controlled automatic baler with a hydraulic control of the wad board and the hydraulic .control of the bale compressing means adjacent the tying mechanism position of the baler for insuring successive delivery of securely tied bales with uniform operation of the baler and without appreciable shock.

A further object of my invention resides in the construction of the reversing mechanism for controlling the stroke of the hydraulically operated ram of a hydraulically operated baler in timed relation to the operation of the wad board and the compressing mechanism for the bales adjacent the bale tying position of the baler.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction and arrangement of parts for a hydraulically operated baler as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the hydraulically controlled baler of my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the hydraulically controlled baler viewed from the opposite side of the baler from which the view of Fig. 1 is taken; Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the arrangement of parts of the hydraulic operating system of the baler and showing the coordination of the hydraulic control for the ram and the bale compressing means at the bale tying position; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the hydraulic control valve employed in the hydraulic control system of my invention; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view illustrating the coaction between the hydraulic operating mechanism and the ram f the baler with parts of the hydraulic actuating mechanism illustrated in side elevation; Fig. 6 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional view through the hydraulic operating mechanism and ram "ith certain of the parts illustrated in top plan view for showing the relationship of the hydrauiil control mechanism and the ram of the baler; ..-.3. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken through the hydraulic operating means on line |l of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the position of the hydraulic piston in the hydraulic operating cylinder of Fig. 5 in its position where the ram is about to reverse for effecting a forward movement for compressing the material to be baled; Fig. 9 is a. vertical sectional view through the hydraulic cylinder taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view showing the stroke control mechanism of the hydraulically operated ram where the ram is performing a compressing function; Fig. 11 shows the position of the stroke control mechanism of Fig. 10 wherein the ram has been withdrawn to its limit of travel preparatory to a compressing operation; Fig. 12 illustrates the position of the stroke control mechanism just prior to the reversal of movement of the ram; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the stroke control mechanism for the ram taken on line |3| 3 of Fig. 10; Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view of the linkage arrangement employed in the reversing mechanism taken substantially on line |4|4 of Fig. 10; Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the leverage system of the reversing mechanism taken substantially on line 5 of Fig. ;v Fig. 16 is a fragmentary vertical'sectional' view taken on line |6-|6 of Fig. 10; Fig. 17 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line of Fig. 10; Fig. 18 is a perspective view of one of the lever elements employed in the reversing mechanism of Fig. 10; Fig. 19 is a per- 'spective view of one of the operating levers employed in the reversing mechanism of Fig. 10; Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the actuating means for the operating mechanism illustrated in Fig. 10, the view being taken substantially on line |5-|5 of Fig. 10; Fig. 21 is a top plan view of the bale handling mechanism at the end of the frame of the baler and illustrating the hydraulic mechanism for compressing the hole in the bale tying position; Fig. 22 is a horizontal sectional view through the rear end portion of the baler with the hydraulic mechanism for compressing the bale in the bale tying position illustrated in horizontal section; Fig. 23 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 23-23 of for compressing the bale in bale tying position illustrated in section and elevation; and Fig. 2-l is a vertical sectional view through the hydraulic control mechanism of the bale compressor taken substantially on line 24-24 of Fig. 23.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference Fig. 21 with the hydraulic operating mechanism character I designates the chassis structure of r pable of being moved to an, elevated position a when it is desired to move the baler to the field. The pick-up mechanism is illustrated as including pick-up or gathering members I mounted on rotary carrier 8 for delivering the hay to the hay conveyor mechanism in trough structure 9 by which the hay is delivered to the receiving chamber indicated generally at I as located in front of the ram or-plunger II. The ram or plunger ll reciprocates in the receiving chamber I0 within the confines of walls l2 for forcing the hay into compacting relation in the baling chamber in the position illustrated at l4. The plunger H is reciprocated under control of connecting rod is by the hydraulic mechanism shown generally at l6 and which will be described hereinafter in detail. The movement of the plunger II is coordinated with the movement of the wad board I! operated through lever mechanism l8 journaled on support l9 and controlled through the crank and operating arm 20. The control of the wad board is timed with the movement of the plunger II and with the mechanism for compressing the bale in bale tying position adjacent the rear of the baler as represented generally at 2| The several moving mechanisms are all controlled by the hydraulic system it.

The bale compressing mechanism for securing the compacted bales delivered from the baling chamber while performing the tying operation comprises pairs of arms indicated at 22 and 23 which are pivotally mounted at 22a and 23a on the frame or chassis of the baler at 24 and 25. The arms 22 and 23 are thus free to be moved transversely of the chassis fas represented more clearly in Figs. 22 and 23 under control of the hydraulic cylinder represented at 26. The hydraulic cylinder 28 is secured at one end by suitable means such as rivet or bolt 21 to the vertically disposed angular member or strip 28 which is secured adjacent opposite ends to the transversely extending rod members 29 and 30 as represented at 29a and 3041 which project horizontally of the frame of the baler through sets of guide lugs 3| and 32 projecting upwardly and downwardly from the rear end of the frame of the baler. Opposite ends of rod members 29 and 39 project beyond the sets of guide members and are secured at their ends 291) and 30b to the vertically extending angular strip 33 which bears directly against the pivotally mounted longitudinal extending arms 22.

The two horizontally extending rod members 29 and 30 serve as carriers for the movable plate 34 which bears directly against the angularly movable arms 23 on one face and is attached centrally to the connecting rod 35 which leads to piston 36v which is operable in hydraulic cylinder 26. The introduction of the operating fluid to the interior of cylinder 26 as shown at 31 results in the ejection of piston 38 thereby serving. to

.spread plate 34 with respect to strip-like member 28 and resulting in the movement of strip-like member 33 against angularly movable, arms 22 while plate 34 bears against arms 23. The conjoint action is such as to shift arms 22 and 23 inwardly for securing the bale which I have indicated in dotted lines at 38 while the bale is in bale tying position. The bale that is clamped by arms 22 and 23 serves as the confining header against which the hay for the succeeding bale which is forming in the hay baling chamber in position I4 is compacted by plunger Rod members 39 and 40 extend from the rear of plate 34 through the angle strip 28 and serve to adjustably unite plate 34 and strip 28 while enablin the clamping operation to be effected or released un der control of hydraulic pressure supplied the cylinder 26 through pipe line 4|. Pipe line 4| extends from the hydraulic system |6 as illustrated I more clearly in Fig. 3. Suitable supports in the form of projecting lugs 42 extend from the chassis of the baler for mounting the pressure conveying pipe line 4| in position longitudinally of the chassis of the baler in a protective position for insuring against breakage of the pipe line. In Fig. l I have schematically illustrated pipe line 4| in order to clearly show the coordination between the hydraulic bale clamping means and the hydraulic system, but it will be understood that in actual practice pipe line 4| is confined directly against the chassis of the baler.

The driving engine of the baler is suitably supported by the chassis in a position which I have indicated generally at" in Fig. 2 and arranged to drive main shaft 44 which carries a sprocket wheel thereon which is linked by a sprocket drive chain 45 over sprocket wheel 46 mounted on transverse shaft 41. Shaft 4! carries a sprocket wheel 48 thereon over which sprocket chain 49 operates engaging the'sprocket wheel 50 which operates shaft of the tying mechanism in timed relation to the stroke of the plunger and wad board mechanism.

With the baler engine in location. running and connected to drive the pump 55 of the hydraulic system, which is located inside tank 52, constant volume of fluid is delivered to main control valve 53, Fig. 3, through main feed line 54 extending from pump 55 in tank 52. Reference character 56 indicates a safety valve for preventing excessivehigh pressure on main valve 53.

Due to the over center mechanism shown at 95 which will be explained hereinafter, main valve 53 always stops in either forward or rearward position of valve plunger 51, Fig. 4. Assuming that the valve plunger 51 stops in forward position, fluid will flow to cylinder 58 under pressure through line 59 to the rear end of cylinder 58 at 68, pushing piston 6| forward as in the direction of arrow 62, Fig. 3. Since the ram or plunger II is directly connected to piston 6| through connecting rod I5, it moves in the same direction as piston 6| at all times as indicated by arrows 62 and 63.

The valve 53 is of the open center balanced four-way piston type permitting oil to flow freely from the pump 55 through feed line 54 through ports 64 in thevalve body. The valve body contains an arrangement of ports as illustrated at 64 and 11 for distributing fluid pressure from the intake 54 to the outlet. The plunger 51 operates a sleeve-like member 65 which flts over the reduced portion 66 of plunger 51. The end of plunger 51 is indicated at 61 slidable in sleevelike member 69 against the action of spring 68. The sleeve-like member 65 carries a series of ports 18-1I-12 which are adapted to register with the annular ports 13-14-15 and 16 in the valve body. The fluid may pass from the pressure inlet 54 to the pressure outlet 59 through the several ports and through the port 11. Auxiliary distribution ports connect with pipe lines 18 and 19 in the valve body as shown.

When the ram or plunger II starts forward all elements are in the position as illustrated in Fig. 11. As plunger II continues its forward movement lug 88 Fig. 10, which is bolted to plunger II, makes contact with bumper BI and bumper 8| carries along with it shaft 82 and plate 83. As plate 83 moves forward, lug 85 which is fastened to plate 93 moves along slide 86 shown in Fig. 13 from point A to point B. When lug 85 moves to point B, plate 83 throws over center mechanism 95 to the position shown in Fig. 12 which is just beyond the over center position. The over center mechanism comprises a pair of arms 95a and 95b pivotally mounted at 95c and interconnected by spring 81. When the over center 95 reaches the position as shown in Fig. 12 the over center spring 81 throws the over center to the extreme forward position, Fig. 10, and carries along with it lug 85. As lug 85 is carried along it pulls with it slide 86 and link 89. Lever 88 is pivoted intermediate its ends at 98 as shown. Link 89 is connected to the lower end of lever 88 at 89a and to the upper end of lever 88 there is connected the link 9| which operates the valve plunger 51 of the main control valve 53. When link 89 is pulled forward as explained hereinbefore it causes lever 88 to rotate in a clockwise direction which moves valve plunger 51, Fig. 4, in direction of arrow 92, thus closing off the fluid flow to line 59, Fig. 3. The timing of the over center is to give the plunger the desired length of stroke.

When valve plunger 51 is moved to rearward position and closes off fluid flow from line 59 it at the same time opens valve port to line 96, Fig. 3. forcing piston 6| in a rearward direction (arrow 63) causing plunger I I to move in a similar direction. As plunger II moves rearward lug 88 on plunger I I make contact with bumper 91, Fig. 10. at a predetermined time causing over center to operate in an exact reverse direction as previously explained, closing off fluid supply through line 96 and opening line 59 thus completing one cycle. When fluid is going through one feed line to cylinder 58 the fluid is leaving the other end of the cylinder through the other feed line, thus both lines 59 and 96 act as feed and exhaust lines respectively. This cycle is repeated for continuous operation of the plunger, except that the valve plunger 51 is momentarily held in central position. in which it is drawn in Fig. 4 when a bale is being tied.

The operation of holding valve plunger 61 in central position will be apparent from a consideration of the coacting parts of the valve system.

As material is accumulated in the baling chamber it turns the metering wheel 98, Fig. 21, in a clockwise direction. The prongs of the metering wheel 98 project into the side of the bale, thus turning as the bale moves along. Cam 99, Fig. 21, turns with metering wheel 98 making contact with roller I88 which is fastened to rod member I8I. Thus cam 99 pushes against roller I88 moving rod member l8l in the direction as shown by arrow I82 in Fig. 21. Rod member I M is connected to the over center mechanism I83 (entirely distinct from mechanism 95) Fig. 20, through line member I8Ia. When rod member I8I moves in the direction of arrow I82, Fig. 21, it throws over center I83, Fig. 20, from the position shown to downward position, as shown by the two arrows I84- I85, Fig. 20. When over center I83 is thrown in the downward position the ove center spring I86 puts a downward force on rod I81 to which is fastened lug I88. Lug I88 rests on slide I89. The over center 95 is always tripped on the forward cycle of the plunger travel because material is accumulated in the baling chamber only on the forward travel of the plunge II. A restorin force is applied to over center I83 through link I8Ib, spring "H0 and trip mechanism I8Id-I8Ie operated by the reciprocating plunger II.

When the plunger II moves forward, spring II8, Fig. 20 connected to slide I89 pulls slide I89 forward with it and thus the forward end of slide I89 is always under lug I88 when over center I83 trips thus arresting lugs I88. As plunger II moves rearward it makes contact with bumpe III, Fig. 20, which is fastened to slide I89, moving the slide rearward with the plunger. When the forward end of slide I89 moves past lug I88, rod I81 is pushed downward due to pressure of the over center spring I86.

Rod I81, Fig. 20, is connected to the valve plunger arresting device I28, Fig. 18, through members H5, H6, H1 and H8 arranged with respect to the baler chassis as shown in Figs. 20 and 10-17. Since rod I81 can drop only when plunger II is in the extreme rearward position, it swing-s member I28, Figs. 10-12, in the position shown at the same time that plate 83 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 10 to the position shown in Fig. 11 by over center 95. Now, after rod I81 has dropped and moved member I28 to position shown in Fig. 12 the plunger I I moves to extreme forward position, and trips over center 95,

but because the arresting device is as shown in Fig. 12 arm 88 can move only part of its normal travel and it and overcenter 95 are held in position as shown in Fig. 12, thu holding v l plunger 51 in central position and blocking the valve ports to both feed lines 59 and 96, Fig. 3, and

opening valve ports to exhaust line I2I, Fig. 13. which returns the fluid delivered to main valve 53 back to tank 52. This holds plunger II. in the extreme forward position. since no fluid can enter or leave the cylinder 58 when both feed lines are closed off; at this time the tying needles indicated generally at I22 operatetransversely through slots 1 I23 in the plunger II and through aligned openings [22a in the chassis of the baler and the bale. is tied. Over center I83, Fig. 20, is automatically returned to the position'shown in Fig. 20 and the over center I03 pulls rod I81 up through operational members H5, H6, H1 and H8 thus regradually. While the piston is traveling between positions 0 and D, the main control valve 53 is shifted and the fluid enters at the rearward end leasing arresting device I28 through link II4 which in turn frees lever 88 and tension of spring 81, Fig. 12, and operatescontrol valve 53 opening valve ports to feed .line 96, Fig. 3, and plunger II continues its normal cycle.

One of the important features of my invention is the timing of the bale typing operation with the plunger II held hydraulically in it extreme forward position. This is made possible by thecontrol of the tying mechanism within the time period that the plunger II and associated mechanism remains in the position shown in Fig. 12.

The feed line I8, Fig. 3, starts at main control valve 53 and goes to cylinder 26 through pipe line 4I and builds up pressur behind piston 36 in cylinder 26 which exerts pressure on plate 34, Fig.

23. The pressure condition at the main control valve i continuously indicated by the pressure indicator shown at 53a. Plate 34 bears against the pivoted tension rails 23. As heretofore explained the opposite end of cylinder 26 is fastened to member 28. Tension rails 22 bear against angular strip 33 which by reason of its connection through rod members 29 and 30 with strip 28 and coaction with strip 34 applies equal pressure to the sets of pivoted tension rails 22 and 23. Rods 29 and 30 are free to slide in bearings 3| and 32 respectively. Line M, Fig. 3, is the exhaust line which returns to tank 52 through relief valve I24 which can be set for any desired pressure up to the maximum pressure on main control valve 53, thus keeping equal pressure on the sets of tension rails 22 and 23 at all times.

The advantages of the hydraulically operated tension rails may be summarized as follows:

1. Makes possible a shorter hay baling chamber, thus saving material and weight. The hay baling chamber is in position I4 between the hay receiving chamber I0 and the header formed by the bale that is clamped in the bale tying position by arms 22-23.

2. Makes all bales of the same weight when the material has the same moisture content.

3. Prevents springing of baling chamber when using heavy material.

4. Allows easier and more accurate adjustments to be made and reduces maintenance costs and shutdowns.

Due to the momentum of plunger II and the flowing fluid considerable hydraulic knock may be .produced when main control valve 53 reverses the flow of fluid unless some means of cushioning the shock is provided. To take care of this shock a small by-pass' I25, shown in Figs. 8 and 9, is located at the rearward end of the cylinder 58.

of cylinder 58. A small amount of the fluid again escapes past the piston 6| until it has again passed position 0 in the other direction.- The aperture I26 in the by-pass must be sufllciently small that not all the fluid supplied to the cylinder 58 can escape through the by -pass I25 under the pressure required to move the piston 6I. or the piston 6| would not start its forward movement when the main control valve 53 is shifted. The

cylinder 58 and appurtenances are suitably supported by the framing I21 extending to the chassis as shown in Fig. 7.

The mounting means for the parts of the stroke control mechanism are shown more clearly in Figs. 13-20 from which it will seen that the over center mechanism 95 is otally supported at 950 by means projecting from the side wall I2 of the baler on which the spacer member 9518 is arranged for maintaining the pair of arms 95a and 95b in spaced relation to the side wall of the baler. It will also be seen that the position of the pivot 85c and spacer 95d is such that in one of the extreme limits of the position of the over center mechanism 95, the shaft 82 and its connection with plate 83 clears the mounting means and over center mechanism without obstruction'. The connection between shaft 82 and plate 83 will be more clearly understood by observing Figs. 13, 14 and 19 from which it will be seen that plate 83 has a block 83a projecting therefrom at one side and lug 85 projecting therefrom at the other side. The plate 83 has a transversely projecting end portion 83b serving to steady or stabilize plate 83 with respect to the wall I2 of the baler. The shaft 82 which is screw threaded into block 83a is locked to block 83a by nut 82a. The slide 86 is shown connected with lug 85 of plate 83 by means of nut 86a. The arms 85a and 95b connect with plate 83 through links 9511 and 95e which operate the arms 95a and 95b in the successive forward and reverse movements. The free ends of arms 85a and 85b each carry transversely extending pin members 95! and 959 which serve as spacer means extending'from arms 95a and 95b between which coil spring 8'! acts.

Shaft 82 is suitably supported for longitudinal movement with respect to the side wall I2 of the baler by suitably located projecting lugs represented at 82b so spaced as to ofier no obstruction to the movement of the bumper 8I that is carried by shaft 82 for coaction with the lug 80. As heretofore explained, the lug is bolted to plunger I I through the intermediary of member I30 which is fastened to the inside wall of plunger II and projects through the longitudinally extending slot I3I in the side wall I2 of the baler. Rails I3'Ib extend longitudinally on either side of the slot I 3| and serve as guide rails. Member I38 carries roller I3Ia and block I 32 thereon with spacer sleeve I32 therebetween and with confining means I34 on the end thereof. Roller I3Ia rides between the rails I3 lb removing strain from the member I30. Spacer sleeve I33 serves as a carrier for lug 80 which projects transversely into the path of the bumper 8I. Lug 80 may be bifurcated at its end to partially embrace shaft 82 to insure positive ,abutment with bumper The mechanism constituting the tripping member I20 is pivotally mounted with respect to the baler on a bracket I35 that projects from one wall of the baler at I2 and carries pivot pin I36 around which member I20 is adapted to rock. The angular distance through which member I20 may rock is restricted by means of plate member I31 secured to bracket I35 by means of bolts I38. Tongues I3Ia and I 31b project from plate member I31 embracing opposite sides of member I20 in the course of its angular movement and serving as abutments to restrict such movement.

The pivotal mounting'means for the lever 88 at 90 extends from a bracket I 39 projecting transversely from the wall I2 of the baler. The spacial relation of bracket I39 to the pintle formed thereon is such that lever 88 is adequately spaced from the side wall of the baler to allow proper operation of all parts of the stroke control mechanism.

The block member I32 which is mounted on the projecting member I30 that connects with plunger II serves as a connecting means for the operating arm 20. As heretofore explained, the operating arm 20 connects to the crank which is journalled on the support I9 at I40. The relationship of the operating arm and crank 20 may be varied through the screw adjustment means represented at I4I (Fig. 1) As the plunger II moves in its horizontal path the operating armand crank 20 is moved through an angular distance controllable to effect the required throw of the wad board H for packing the hay which is delivered over the front of the baler into the baling chamber through the aperture designated at I 2a in Fig. 5. The end of the hay conveying chamber is represented generally at I42 defining an area limited by the aperture |2a through which the hay is compacted in front of the plunger II at the time during the cycle of movement of the plunger represented in Fig. 11 where the hydraulic piston 6| has been driven to a position adjacent the end of the hydraulic cylinder 58 as presented in Fig. 8. The hay is gathered by the pick-up or gathering members I mounted on rotary carrier 8 at the front of the baler and delivered by conveying mechanism to a position for compacting by the wad board H as is more fully set forth in my co-pending application Serial No. 525,787, filed March 9, 1944, supra. The hay conveying mechanism is driven through drive pulley I43 carried by shaft I44 under control of driving belt I45 engaged by driving pulley I46 carried by main shaft 44 as more fully explained in my aforesaid co-pending application.

For the purpose of showing the relation of the parts of the tying mechanism of the baler to the other component parts thereof, I have shown in Fig. 2 the arrangement of the tying mechanism in the position generally illustrated at I48. The tying mechanism is driven from shaft 5| through clutch I49 and connecting rod I50 which imparts reciprocative movement to the driving elements of the tying mechanism shown generally at I48." For details of the tying mechanism, reference is made to my co-pending application Serial No. 537,900 for automatic balers filed May 29, 1944. To illustrate the coordination of the tying mechanism with the other parts or the baler, I have shown the arms I6I which serve as carriers for the needles I22 pivotally mounted with respect to the frame of the baler as represented at I52. The cyclic swin i g movement of the arms IN is controlled through connecting rods I53 and links I54 driven by shaft I55 from gear system I56 (Fig. 21).

The operation of the hydraulically controlled baler may be summarized by considering the driving engine in position 43 operating main shaft 44 for driving pump 55 through sprocket chain connection I65 interconnecting shafts 44 and I66 (Figs. 2 and 6). Valve 53 controls the admission of fluid pressure to either side of piston 6| in hydraulic cylinder 58 and to the cylinder 26 of the bale clamping mechanism in timed relation under control of valve plunger 51 operated by lever 88 (Figs. 10-12). The wad board I! operates in timed relation to the movement of plunger II through member I30 and arm and crank 20 to pack the hay through aperture I2a into the hay baling chamber in position I4 shown in Fig. ,1. The plunger II carries a shearing knife. IIa thereon which coacts with a cutting blade I42a that is associated with the end wall I42 of the hay feeding portion of the baler as shown in Fig. 5 for cutting off the excess hay that cannot be compacted into the hay baling chamber at each packing stroke of the plunger.

As heretofore pointed out, the baling chamber proper is relatively short and the bale that is clamped in bale tying position by arms 22-23 actuated by hydraulic cylinder 26 serves as a header for the succeeding bale that is being formed by the successive operations of wad board I1 and the horizontal movement of plunger II. The special construction of by-pass I25 in the hydraulic cylinder 58 cushions the shock on the rearward movement of plunger 1 as has been clearly described. The valve plunger 51 controlled by lever 88 is shifted under control of the over center mechanism 95 as heretofore explained. It will be observed in Fig. 10, where plunger II is in its extreme position for compressing the hay in the baling chamber, the lever 88 is clear of engagement with member I20 and in this position, fluid pressure is admitted by valve 53 through pipe 96 to hydraulically move piston 6| in cylinder 58 in the direction of arrow 63 (Fig. 5). In the condition illustrated in Fig. 10 the over center mechanism 95 has its arms drawn together at an acute angle by coil spring 81 in the position shown. On the reverse stroke illustrated in Fig. .1, the arms 95a and 95b of over center mechanism 95 are each moved through an angle of approximately and the arms drawn by spring 8'! to an acutely angled relation illustrated in Fig. 11. During this movement to extreme opposite limits arm 20 connected to member I30 connected to plunger II serves to pack hay into the hay baling chamber through aperture I2a in front of the plunger II. Lever 88 clears the roller I200. carried by member I20 in the course of the reverse movement illustrated in Fig. 11. However on the forward stroke where hydraulic pressure is admitted through pipe 59 to hydraulic cylinder 58 in front of piston 6|, member I20 has rocked about center I36 so that roller I20a of member I20 engages the end of lever 60 as illustrated in Fig. 12. Under these conditions, over center I03 trips, removing roller I20a from engagement with the end of lever 88 and allowing lever 88 to move through the remaining part or its normal travel. Fig. 12 indicates the position in which plunger II has moved to its extreme forward position tripping over center 95 but in which the arresting device I20 allows arm 88 to move through only part of its normal travel so that ate transversely through apertures I 22a in the side walls 01' the baler and through slots I23 in the plunger II for tying the bale in accordance with the principles set forth in my copending application Serial No. 537,900, filed May 29, 1944, supra.

The wire carrying reels that supply the wire to the wire tying mechanism are suitably suspended from the chassis of the baler and feed the wire to the wire tying mechanism of the baler shown generally at 8. The wire supply reels have been omitted from the illustrations herein for purposes of simplification but are shown in detail in the bale t ing disclosure of my application Serial No. 537,900. filed May 29, 1944, supra. It is sufilcient to note herein that the bale that is being tied serves as a header against which the material for the succeeding bale is packed and that wire ties are automatically laid in position for the bale to be formed and receives the hay which is packed against it and is stretched along the sides of the inner walls of the baler as the hay is packed and fil ed into the baling chamber by the hydraulically operated plunger.

As heretofore explained, the tripping of overcenter I 03 wh ch makes poss ble the removal of obstructing roller I 20a from the end of lever 88 is effec ed by the movement of rod member Hll controlled by cam 99 and roller I (Fig. 21). The movement of cam 99 through a cycle of angular displacement depends upon the rotat on of meter n wheel 98 which projects into a side of the bale as it is being advanced longitudinally of the baler. Thus the forming and delivery of the bale itself se s into motion a series of sequential steps that result in the automatic control of the hydraulically operating system. The continued cycl ng of the hydraulic system is effected by the coaction of the many functions of the several parts of the mechanism I have illustrated.

The apparatus shown herein has been constructed and successfully operated and while the arrangements herein shown constitute one of the preferred embodiments of my invention, I realize that changes and improvements may be made and I do not intend that the structures herein shown shall be considered as the only way of carrying out my invention I intend that changes and modifications in design and arrangement may be made and I intend no limitations other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A hydraulically controlled baler comprising a hydraulic operating cylinder, a piston reciprocative in said cylinder, a hay baling plunger connected with said piston, a hay baling chamber in which said hay baling plunger is arranged to re ciprocate, means for successively introducing hay into said hay baling chamber for successive compacting operations thereon by said hay baling plunger for accumulating compacted hay in said hay baling chamber, sets of bale gripping members, hydraulic means for operating said members for successively clamping the bales in a position forming a header abutment for the succeeding bale accumulated in said hay baling chamber, and means operated by the amount of accumulation of hay against the header formed by the preceding bale for arresting the operation of said hydraulic piston in said hydraulic cylinder.

2. Hay baling mechanism comprising a frame structure, a hay baling chamber intermediate said frame structure, bale gripping means carried by said frame structure at one end of said hay baling chamber, a hay baling plunger mounted on said frame structure adjacent the other end of said hay baling chamber, hydraulic operatin means comprising a. hydraulic cylinder, a piston operative therein, a connection between said piston and said hay baling plunger, hydraulic means for operating said bale gripping means, and means controlled by the accumulation of hay compacted between the end of a bale secured by said bale gripping means and said hay baling chamber for arresting the introduction of hydraulic fluid into said hydraulic cylinder.

3. Hay baling mechanism comprising in combination a. frame structure, a hay baling chamber mounted intermediate said frame structure, bale clamping means mounted adjacent one end 01' said frame structure and interconnected with said hay baling chamber, a hay baling plunger mounted adjacent the other end of said hay baling chamber and reciproc'ative therein for compacting hay delivered to said hay baling chamber against 40 a header constituted by a previously formed bale gripped by said bale clamping means, a wad board for delivering hay to said hay baling chamber, mechanism for coordinating the movement of said wad board with the reciprocative operation of said hay baling plunger, hydraulic operating mechanism comprising a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic piston operative therein and connected with said hay baling plunger, hydraulic means for controlling the operation of "aid bale clamping means, and metering mechanism controlled by the accumulation of compacted hay in said baling chamber intermediate said baling plunger and the end of a previously formed bale secured by said clamping means for controlling the opera-- tion or said hydraulically operating mechanism and said hydraulic means.

4. Hydraulically controlled baling mechanism comprising a hydraulic cylinder, a piston operative in said cylinder, means for controlling the introduction and discharge of fluid with respectto opposite ends of said cylinder for reciprocating said piston in said cylinder, a connecting rod extending from said piston, a baling plunger operated by said connecting rod, a baling chamber within which said baling plunger reciprocates, an over center mechanism displaceable from a normal position to an operated position in accordance with the quantity of material accumulated by the compacting operation of said plunger in said hay baling chamber, and means controlled by the movement of said over center mechanism to operated position for arresting the introduction and discharge oi fluid into said hydraulic cylinder.

5. Hydraulically controlled baling mechanism comprising a hydraulic cylinder, a piston operative in said cylinden, means for controlling the introduction and discharge of fluid with respect to opposite ends of said cylinder for reciprocating said piston in said cylinder, a connecting rod extending from said piston, a baling plunger operated by said connecting rod, a baling chamber within which said baling plunger reciprocates, an over center mechanism displaceable from a normal position to an operated position dependin upon the quantity of material accumulated in said pivoted with respect to said baler, a connection between one end of said lever member and said valve for controlling the operation of said valve. and means engageable with the opposite end 01 said lever member for obstructing the movement of said levermember for a timeperiod determined by the accumulation of baled material in said baling chamber for correspondingly controlling the operation of said hydraulic actuating mechanism.

7. Hydraulically controlled baling mechanism comprising a hydraulic actuating mechanism, a

- baling plunger reciprocative under control of said hydraulic actuating mechanism, a baling chamber within which said baling plunger reciprocates, a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through said hydraulic actuating mechanism, a lever member pivotally mounted with respect to the baler, a connecting rod between one end of said lever and said valve, means for obstructing the movement of the other end of said lever, an over center mechanism, a connection between the last mentioned end of said lever and said over center mechanism, and means controlled by the quantity of material accumulated in said baling chamber for removing the aforesaid obstruction to the movement of said lever member whereby said over center mechanism is rendered eflective for operating said valve and controlling the flow of fluid to said hydraulic operating mechanism.

8. Hydraulic mechanism for balers comprising a hydraulic operating mechanism, a baling plunger operated by said mechanism, a baling chamber in which said baling plunger operates for compacting material to be baled, a valve for controlling the operation of said hydraulic operating mechanism, a lever member connected with said valve for controlling the position thereof, spring actuated mechanism for controlling the operation 01' said lever member, means engageable with said lever member for restraining the operation of said lever member by said spring actuated mechanism, and means controlled by the amount of the accumulation of material in said baling chamber for removing the obstruction to the movement oi said lever member for pressing said lever member under control of said spring actuated mechanism for eflecting operation of said valve at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation of said baler mechanism.

9. Hydraulic baling mechanism comprising hydraulic operating means including a hydraulic cylinder, a piston therein, a baling plunger operated by said piston a baling chamber in which said baling plunger reciprocates, a valve for controlling the flow oi fluid to said hydraulic cylinder, a lever pivotally mounted with respect to said baling mechanism and connected at one end with said valve, 9. spring actuated mechanism connected with the other end of said lever and selectively movable to any of three positions for correspondingly controlling said valve and tlte flow of fluid to said hydraulic cylinder, means for effecting cyclic movement 01' said spring actuated mechanism to either of two oif said positions in accordance with the reciprocative movement of said baling plunger, means for restraining the movement of said lever to said third position depending uponthe accumulation. of material to be baled in said baling chamber, and means for releasing said lever for movement under control of said spring actuated mechanism to said third position upon predetermined accumulation of material in said baling chamber.

10. Hydraulic baling mechanism comprising hydraulic operating means including a hydraulic cylinder, a piston therein, a baling plunger op-' erated by said piston, a baling chamber in which said baling plunger reciprocates, a valve for controlling the flow oi fluid to said hydraulic cylinder, a lever pivotally mounted with respect to said baling mechanism and connected at one end with said valve, and selectively movable to either of two positions for controlling the reciprocation of said baling plunger and/or to a third position for arresting the movement 01' said baling plunger, spring means for effecting movement oi. said lever alternately to the aforesaid two positions, and supplemental spring means for removing the obstruction to movement of said lever to the third position thereof and effecting movement of said lever to said third position for arresting movement oi said baling plunger.

EDWIN B. NOLT. 

